Simone WilsonUpdated below with more insane photos of the naked tower climber — and the bait used by LAPD rescuers to lure him down. Originally posted February 8 at 5:15 p.m.
The L.A. City Fire Department responded to a call this afternoon of a “possible jumper” climbing a tower in downtown Los Angeles.
“The man might have taken off some of his clothing and appears mentally unstable,” City News Service reported after speaking with LAPD media relations.
And an amazing/terrifying photo Tweeted by Blogdowntown's Ed Fuentes very much confirms the suspicion:
“In case you thought I was kidding about the nude man on the tower at Temple / Santa Fe / Center”; Credit: @viewfromaloft via Twitter
The tower is located at 700 East Temple Street, in what appears to be the back parking lot of the Los Angeles Personnel Department. (Map embedded at the bottom.) The Daily Journal is across the street.
Here's another jaw-dropping shot, courtesy of Twitter user Tom Renaud:
“Usually I don't gawk BUT there is a butt naked crazy man on top of a radio tower in DTLA right now”; Credit: @RenaudZone via Twitter
Photographer Juan Guerra reported a few minutes ago that “large [fire department] resources” were on scene, and that the tower appeared to be over 100 feet high. Updates to come as we receive them.
Update, 5:35 p.m.: An LAPD spokeswoman tells the Weekly that the man hasn't jumped yet. Both cops and firefighters are on the scene. Their status: “Standing by.”
Update, 5:45 p.m.: And the insane photos just keep coming. This time, from the front.
“This guy is out if his mind thinking his going to jump naked off this tower !! Today is an interesting day here in LA”; Credit: Greg Lutzka via Instagram
Like the naked 405 runner of 2011, we sincerely hope the naked tower climber of 2012 comes out of this spectacle alive. Via LA weekly commenter “Civil Servant”:
“Yes, this tower is in the back parking lot for the Cty's Personnel Building. I saw him as I was walking to my lot across the street. Tons of Police/Fire Personnel, plus employees who couldn't get to their cars in the back lot. I hope they get him down safely!”
Amen.
Update, 9:15 p.m.: Our guy stayed atop the 228-foot tower until about 9 p.m., according to City News — at which time the police and fire departments reportedly worked together to bring the man “down in a basket.”
LAPD sources tell the Los Angeles Times that before the basket maneuver, officers “climbed up [the tower] and convinced him to come down.”
So now we all get to laugh about it, without feeling guilty! How 'bout some more insane photos to celebrate a talk-down gone right:
“Naked guy on top of emergency tower in Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles at 1st St. and Santa Fe Ave.”; Credit: LA Times
“Naked guy on top of emergency tower in Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles at 1st St. and Santa Fe Ave.”; Credit: Downwtown Muse via Facebook
Update, February 9, 1:45 p.m.: The Times has a priceless news post this afternoon on the bait that finally convinced the man, reportedly a 45-year-old Arizona resident, to come down.
This guy loves McDonald's almost as much as the Burbank homeless woman who offered BJs for McNuggets:
The man climbed to the top of the tower Wednesday night. At one point, police sources said, he asked for hamburgers from McDonald's. Officials complied, and he agreed to come down after eating his meal.
[@simone_electra / swilson@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
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